Rules and boots

[Nickle]

So I had my ankle crushed.  Had three operations and lots of metal in there.  I can't wear cowboy boots because I have limited movement  in my ankle and it also swells so if I do get them on I can't get them off.

I've been wearing normal leather steel toed lace up work boots all my life. Literally got married in them. 

So if that's all I can wear does this mean classic cowboy is only thing I can shoot in?

Are overalls legal?  Google search says overalls are SASS  legal but when I look at SASS pdf download I don't see anything about them. 

It also looks to shoot gunfighter you can only have a 50s Hollywood western buscadero rig?

My second revolver would be a borrowed ruger with sights because of stupid Canadian gun laws. Kind of looks like I can't  shoot gunfighter because of the sights. 

Thanks 

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

Let's address this as simply as possible:

 

I can't wear cowboy boots because I have limited movement  in my ankle and it also swells so if I do get them on I can't get them off.

I've been wearing normal leather steel toed lace up work boots all my life.

 

The wearing of boots is ONLY a required component within the costume requirement categories.  B-Western & Classic Cowboy.

The "Old West" was filled with many, many people who wore other types of footwear all the way to some that did not wear shoes at all.

Shooters at todays matches emulate the attire and look of all the various factions. 

Your "work boots" are perfectly legal within ALL categories excepting the aforementioned costuming required categories. 

The Match Director also has the ability to modify requirements for medical exceptions.

 

Are overalls legal?

Yes, again, not every person rode a horse or wore a badge.  Unless a category specifically denies overalls - they are legal.

(and I don't believe any categories do - tho I could see the B-Western crowd raising their eyebrows  😌)

 

It also looks to shoot gunfighter you can only have a 50s Hollywood western buscadero rig?

 

Any SASS legal holster and belt set up is legal within Gunfighter (shooters cannot draw simultaneously if they are utilizing a dual crossdraw rig).

Buscadero rigs are legal within every category excepting Classic Cowboy (a costuming requirement category).

B-Western (a costuming requirement category - which "may" shoot Gunfighter Style) is required to wear a rig which places the butt of the pistol below belt level. 

 

My second revolver would be a borrowed Ruger with sights because of stupid Canadian gun laws. Kind of looks like I can't shoot gunfighter because of the sights.

 

Just to clarify sights - "Adjustable Sights" are illegal in Gunfighter.  So, assuming the borrowed Ruger is a Blackhawk - then yes, that firearm (unless modified) would not be legal in Gunfighter. 

Again, a Match Director can make equipment exceptions as well.

If you were just getting started and told me you wanted to shoot Gunfighter (at local monthly level matches) but were limited to Blackhawks, "I" would likely allow it with the caveat that you could not win Gunfighter and that you were planning on acquiring the legal firearms when possible.

I would not allow it at any match level above a monthly.   

 

 

 

 

 

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

PLUS ONE for Creeker

[Black Hills Barb]

There are some boot companies that offer lace up ropers.  Should you decide to try something along those lines this is what they offer.
Justin makes these.  Durango also makes a lace up boot that's a little lower.  Go to a match and talk to the cowboys.  Ask questions.  Try their guns.  You'll find that you made a bunch of new friends that offered you a ton of good advice.

 

[Flying W Ramrod]

4 hours ago, Nickle said:

So I had my ankle crushed.  Had three operations and lots of metal in there.  I can't wear cowboy boots because I have limited movement  in my ankle and it also swells so if I do get them on I can't get them off.

I've been wearing normal leather steel toed lace up work boots all my life. Literally got married in them. 

So if that's all I can wear does this mean classic cowboy is only thing I can shoot in

 

Are overalls legal?  Google search says overalls are SASS  legal but when I look at SASS pdf download I don't see anything about them. 

It also looks to shoot gunfighter you can only have a 50s Hollywood western buscadero rig?

My second revolver would be a borrowed ruger with sights because of stupid Canadian gun laws. Kind of looks like I can't  shoot gunfighter because of the sights. 

Thanks 

Boots are ONLY required in B Western and Classic Cowboy.

Overalls are legal.

Gunfighters can use any type rig they want. B Western must use a rig where "no part of the revolver may extend above the belt" 

As to the sight issue, fixed sights are required. Pretty sure canada allows fixed sights.

 

[John Kloehr]

5 minutes ago, Flying W Ramrod said:

As to the sight issue, fixed sights are required. Pretty sure canada allows fixed sights.

In theory... In practice I understand available offerings are very limited.

[John Kloehr]

6 minutes ago, Flying W Ramrod said:

Boots are ONLY required in B Western and Classic Cowboy.

Overalls are legal.

Gunfighters can use any type rig they want. B Western must use a rig where "no part of the revolver may extend above the belt" 

As to the sight issue, fixed sights are required. Pretty sure canada allows fixed sights.

Good to see other's who can speak with authority and familiarity with these details posting in this thread.

 

Just want to separately add that many seem to think cowboy boots are required. The requirement is very limited as you note.

 

I have been wearing them as my lady thinks it makes my walk sexy, not because of SASS rules. She is not attending shoots so I may at some point switch to something more practical. I think my "tactical" boots for other sports are expressly not allowed.

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

1 hour ago, Black Hills Barb said:

There are some boot companies that offer lace up ropers.  Should you decide to try something along those lines this is what they offer.
Justin makes these.  Durango also makes a lace up boot that's a little lower.  Go to a match and talk to the cowboys.  Ask questions.  Try their guns.  You'll find that you made a bunch of new friends that offered you a ton of good advice.

 

 

I have three pairs of these.  They allow space for the orthotics I must wear. One is shiny black for formal events.  Another is unpolished for shooting.  The third is insulated for when I shoot in cold weather.  I sometimes dress B-Western but shoot in Frontier Cartridge.  These boots are legal for me.

 

Railroad overalls are popular and a few of us wear them.  The ninetieth century was the heyday of steam locomotion and railroad workers were part of the Old West.  You can buy patches of historic railroads and sew them on a cap.  I wore one from the Atlantic and Pacific line in the SW US.  There might be some obscure 19th Century Canadian railroad you might want to be part of.

[Kid Rich]

You can wear a crossdraw rig and draw both guns at the same time. Just draw the left hand gun with the left hand and the right hand gun with the right hand by turning your hands 180 degrees and turning the revolver as you draw. Seemed to work for Hickock and a modern CAS shooter, Wild Bill Blackerby.

kR

[Leroy Luck]

1 hour ago, Kid Rich said:

You can wear a crossdraw rig and draw both guns at the same time.

SHB pg 7

 

Gunfighter style competitors are prohibited from utilizing a simultaneous “double cross draw” method of drawing or holstering revolvers 

Edited March 23 by Leroy Luck

[PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L]

2 hours ago, Leroy Luck said:

SHB pg 7

 

Gunfighter style competitors are prohibited from utilizing a simultaneous “double cross draw” method of drawing or holstering revolvers 

 

I believe that Kid Rich is referring to Cavalry/twist draw....which is legal when performed properly.

[Nickle]

Thanks for setting me straight on what's allowed. 

 

[Chancy Shot, SASS #67163]

Being the cheap frugal person that I am, I modified my gun belt with a slot to comply with the costume category rules. I am able to enter either with the same leather.

 

Classic Cowboy/Classic Cowgirl Category - Buscadero or drop holster rigs allowed (i.e., part of the grip must be above the belt on which the holster hangs).

 

B-Western/Lady B-Western Category - Buscadero holster rigs or drop holster rigs are required. All revolvers must be carried below the top of the gun belt.

 

 

Chancy

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

SHOES!!   Very little mention of SHOES!!  Shoes are quite acceptable/legal so long as they aren not "sneakers/running/Basketball" shoes.  As long as you're not trying to play in "B" Western or Classique Cowboy/Cowgirl, you're more than welcome to wear Shoes.  I dress as a "Townie".  Shoes are quite appropriate.  

[Rye Miles #13621]

This is what I’ve been wearing, I’ve seen quite a few guys with these. 
 

m

 

[Cypress Sun]

15 minutes ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

This is what I’ve been wearing, I’ve seen quite a few guys with these. 
 

m

 

 

No wonder people's feet hurt....they're wearing two left footed shoes!

[Rip Snorter]

How gauche!

[Black Angus McPherson]

21 hours ago, Creeker, SASS #43022 said:

L

.....

If you were just getting started and told me you wanted to shoot Gunfighter (at local monthly level matches) but were limited to Blackhawks, "I" would likely allow it with the caveat that you could not win Gunfighter and that you were planning on acquiring the legal firearms when possible.

I would not allow it at any match level above a monthly.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nice thought, but, considering Nickle is in Canada, the last I heard there is no longer the legal ability to buy or transfer the ownership of handguns.  If you don't already own the handgun(s) you need you have no choice but to borrow them from someone that does.  That bites big time.

 

Angus

[John Kloehr]

37 minutes ago, Black Angus McPherson said:

 

... Canada ...

RCMP summary of firearms restrictions, licensing requirements:

 

https://rcmp.ca/en/firearms/classes-firearms/classes-firearms-canada

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

1 hour ago, Black Angus McPherson said:

 

Nice thought, but, considering Nickle is in Canada, the last I heard there is no longer the legal ability to buy or transfer the ownership of handguns.  If you don't already own the handgun(s) you need you have no choice but to borrow them from someone that does.  That bites big time.

 

Angus

You are correct - situationally it does bite.

But there are rules within our game which dictate guidelines and requirements 

 

While I would allow the OP to shoot gunfighter (at local monthly level shoots) - the same caveats as I stated above would remain (if acquiring the correct firearms is impossible - so be it - shooter could still participate as a gunfighter; just simply cannot place or win).

 

It is incorrect and unfair to allow a shooter to COMPETE within a category that they are wrongly equipped to participate within - against people using appropriate and legal firearms for that category.

 

Especially when other categories ARE competitively available to them/ their equipment.

 

A shooters "desire" to compete in a certain manner does not outweigh the requirements or rules to do so.

Reasonable accomodations apply when NO other path to participate exists - having adjustable sights is NOT a barrier to our game - just certain categories.

[Roland Thunder]

I think there may be a market for blackhawk replacement sights that are fixed. Albeit a limited market.

[PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L]

9 minutes ago, Roland Thunder said:

I think there may be a market for blackhawk replacement sights that are fixed. Albeit a limited market.

 

SASS rules specify the only approved method to convert a Blackhawk to a "fixed sight" revolver:

"Ruger Blackhawk and Ruger Old Army adjustable sight frames may be modified by removing the rear sight assembly, welding up the sight cutout, re-contouring the frame top strap, and cutting a new sight notch to replicate Colt SAA or Vaquero frames. The ramp front sight must be replaced with a blade-type in order to be allowed as a fixed sight model revolver."

SHB p.37

[Ol Salty Sailor]

I have a plate and several screws in my left lower leg after a motorcycle accident last summer.  I was struggling to find boots that I could pull on as well.

I finally went onto my local Boot Barn and explained my problem to the sale[ person.

 

He brought me a pair of Durango Boots that had what they call the xpand system.  The worked for me.

Durango® X-Pand System™

The Durango X-Pand System is a hidden gore expansion for a universal fit and easy on/off.

 

Perhaps they would work for you as well.

[Black Angus McPherson]

23 hours ago, Creeker, SASS #43022 said:

You are correct - situationally it does bite.

But there are rules within our game which dictate guidelines and requirements 

 

While I would allow the OP to shoot gunfighter (at local monthly level shoots) - the same caveats as I stated above would remain (if acquiring the correct firearms is impossible - so be it - shooter could still participate as a gunfighter; just simply cannot place or win).

 

It is incorrect and unfair to allow a shooter to COMPETE within a category that they are wrongly equipped to participate within - against people using appropriate and legal firearms for that category.

 

Especially when other categories ARE competitively available to them/ their equipment.

 

A shooters "desire" to compete in a certain manner does not outweigh the requirements or rules to do so.

Reasonable accomodations apply when NO other path to participate exists - having adjustable sights is NOT a barrier to our game - just certain categories.

 

I do not disagree.

 

Angus

[Grass Range]

Sometimes I wear my hat on backwards. Is that allowed?

[Nickle]

On 3/23/2025 at 1:18 PM, Creeker, SASS #43022 said:

You are correct - situationally it does bite.

But there are rules within our game which dictate guidelines and requirements 

 

While I would allow the OP to shoot gunfighter (at local monthly level shoots) - the same caveats as I stated above would remain (if acquiring the correct firearms is impossible - so be it - shooter could still participate as a gunfighter; just simply cannot place or win).

 

It is incorrect and unfair to allow a shooter to COMPETE within a category that they are wrongly equipped to participate within - against people using appropriate and legal firearms for that category.

 

Especially when other categories ARE competitively available to them/ their equipment.

 

A shooters "desire" to compete in a certain manner does not outweigh the requirements or rules to do so.

Reasonable accomodations apply when NO other path to participate exists - having adjustable sights is NOT a barrier to our game - just certain categories.

I actually didn't like the borrowed new ruger. Maybe I'm just used to my old original S&W new model 3 but with the ruger and he had it loaded light. But I find the ruger harder to c ock one handed. With bigger loads and gun rolling in my hand under recoil I'm thinking it would be better.  Maybe I'm just used to S&W?

I had the ruger misfire on two different runs and when that happened my plan in my head got lost or I got stupid and forgot my round count and where I was in target  sequence.  I might have short stroked it or Maybe light hammer strikes because hammer spring modified or replaced? 

The problem with shooting antique S&W is cost of the gun's and last time it broke it took me three months to get the parts and this was at great expense. 

I'm so sick of the gun laws up here. I would sell off and move south but the exchange rate and what your land sells for down there is a killer for me.

[Frontier Lone Rider]

As to shoes or boots, the rules do address the type of sole allowed.

 

I also have a medical issue with my feet and legs, so I have worn black shoes for the past three years. I tried carrying three different sizes of cowboy boots to each match hoping one pair would fit.  I gave up.  My foot may go in, but the ankles stop any forward progress.

 

I contact the match prior to arriving to insure they are aware of my condition and give their approval.  If anyone says no, I just skip that match.

[PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L]

1 hour ago, Frontier Lone Rider said:

As to shoes or boots, the rules do address the type of sole allowed.

...

 

Only four categories have boot sole restrictions:

 

"Boots are required and must be of traditional design with non-grip enhancing (i.e., NO “Lug”) soles."
SHB p.9 - Classic Cowboy/Classic Cowgirl Category

"Boots are required and must be of traditional design and embellished with fancy stitching, multi-color fancy design, Conchos, or spots. 

Soles must be non-grip enhancing (i.e., NO Lug soles).  Lace up boots and Moccasins are not allowed."
SHB p.10 -  B-Western/Lady B-Western Category 

 

This is the example used to define "Lug sole":

 

 

Edited March 25 by PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L
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